Unknown Intrusion

Chapter 26 The Path of Talent (Bonus Chapter for Alliance Leader arttp)

All students who met the criteria were called out individually.

Su Yu followed an elderly teacher as they walked through the shady trees.

Golden sunlight filtered through the trees, illuminating the asphalt pavement beneath our feet. The road was wide enough for four people to walk side by side.

Walking along this road, listening to the melodious songs of nightingales in the branches, an indescribable tranquility gradually settles in my heart.

We didn't encounter anyone along the way; it seemed to be a very remote route. We passed by old brick and stone buildings from time to time.

The old teacher walked slowly, and at each place he stopped, he would introduce it to Su Yu.

"This is the former residence of Francis Xavier, one of the founders of the school, 150 years ago."

Following the line of sight, there was a two-story attic villa with stained glass windows.

"You should bow your head to show respect."

Su Yu lowered his head silently, and suddenly, he thought of the statue of St. Francis. Was he being canonized?
I think I've heard of it, but I don't have a clear recollection of it.

I feel a bit frustrated; as an indigenous person, I'm missing out on so many things.

Unaware of Su Yu's mood, the old teacher patiently pointed out the ancient scenery along the way.

Although the path was a bit strange and different from the usual one, it felt like a pilgrimage, quietly wandering through the history of the college until the end. It was quite interesting, and soon the magnificent auditorium came into view.

A tall dome, white pillars, and a floor paved with oval-shaped flagstones.

The bluish-gray pillars and floor tiles seem to bear the marks of time.

The thick walls were painted grayish-white, and every few steps there were open windows, through which dense vines climbed in from the outside. The leaves were all green with tiny white patterns.

Once you get here, you can no longer hear the birds chirping outside.

Su Yu followed behind the teacher, strolling along the path, her footsteps barely audible.

Not long after they walked, they saw Qiaoqiao enter through another door, following behind the teacher and receiving the same treatment as him.

Upon meeting, she slightly raised her eyebrows and gave a knowing smile, but remained silent.

Su Yu nodded slightly, his heart filled with excitement.

This was the first time he had come to the auditorium in this capacity.

"I've finally made it onto the list of people to be given special attention."

As if it were some kind of ritual, the guide remained solemn and dignified throughout, and even when they met, they only nodded slightly.

Continuing along the main entrance of the auditorium, people gradually gathered from the side paths.

There weren't many people, only nine in total.

As they approached the end, a narrow door opened, and Song Qiongyao emerged alone from behind it, her steps slightly unsteady.

Seeing her like this, none of the guides were surprised, but their reactions differed.

Some nodded slightly, some frowned, and some remained silent.

"She has no guide...why?" Su Yu wondered to himself.

"Could it be that the guide is some kind of standard, and she doesn't actually meet it?"

"Moreover, there seems to be a certain order to this path. I came in through the main gate... while others joined me through the side gate."

This differential treatment is very obvious.

Su Yu had some vague guesses.

"Others may not know, but I know for myself that among this class of students, talent is undoubtedly number one, and there is no second place."

"Qiaoqiao is also near the front, which means she is quite good, only inferior to me."

"Although there has been no formal testing, the school may have already conducted an assessment!"

As Su Yu was thinking this, he inadvertently noticed that Song Qiongyao was looking at him.

That look in his eyes was very complicated.

Perhaps there is envy, or perhaps there is something else, but it has a kind of touching power that makes it unforgettable.

"No, that's not right. The path we just walked might have been a test!" Su Yu suddenly realized something when faced with that gaze.

It seems something is about to happen.

She walked towards the group, then stopped, pulled up the hem of her black dress, and gracefully bowed to everyone.

Then, with a calm expression and a respectful tone, she said, "I sincerely thank the academy for its tolerance."

The nine guides fell silent. Su Yu was still somewhat surprised.

In addition, the other nine classmates were also looking at her with curiosity.

Qiaoqiao, however, seemed to have heard about it beforehand, but remained silent.

She looked around, but no one responded.

Song Qiongyao's gaze lingered on Qiaoqiao for a moment, and she smiled sweetly.

"...She made plans with Qiaoqiao?" Just as Su Yu was wondering, Song Qiongyao suddenly turned her head and looked at Su Yu.

"Su, may I walk alongside you?" Her smile was bright and radiant, like a vibrant red rose blooming in the sunlight.

Su Yu's eyes widened suddenly.

He didn't understand what happened in that instant.

Su Yu's guide was a silent old teacher, whose expression turned slightly somber.

"Miss Song, this is going a bit too far..."

"Alright, alright, this is a young person's thing," another teacher said with a laugh. "Who hasn't been young?"

The laughter seemed contagious, infecting even the serious-looking teachers.

Only Qiaoqiao remained calm and composed, her expression revealing no emotion.

"...I don't quite understand." Given that this road seemed to have some special significance, Su Yu still asked, not intending to agree without knowing anything.

Song Qiongyao nodded calmly.

"I can understand."

"Until today, I didn't know either, but unfortunately... I can't say." Her tone was somewhat apologetic.

This attitude is significantly better than before, even excessively so.

"Has my talent been confirmed?" Su Yu seemed to understand.

Although there is no evidence, this is highly likely.

She remembered how she stumbled and staggered when she first appeared in the auditorium.

This guess is somewhat more certain.

"I've had a smooth journey so far, but... that might not be the case for her." According to Su Yu's memory, she was indeed lacking in talent in this area.

"Perhaps, walking this path can reveal a student's true qualifications." What would happen if someone who is merely pretending to be qualified walked down this road?
There might be a story behind it.

He thought about many things, but from the outside, it only appeared that he had been pondering for a few seconds.

But what makes us human is that we have to weigh the pros and cons.

What Su Yu needs is not talent, but real power.

The first key task, in particular, is closely related to the Song family—it simply cannot be completed without them!

Even so, Su Yu turned to look at Qiaoqiao. When she looked at her, Qiaoqiao seemed to be in a slightly better mood. But she didn't say anything.

Seeing this reaction, and meeting Song Qiongyao's expectant gaze, Su Yu nodded solemnly: "Of course."

"Grateful!"

With a smile on her face, she gracefully lifted her skirt again and bowed, her slender waist bending as if in a twilight.

Almost immediately, a notification light appeared before Su Yu's eyes. After clicking on it, a line of small text appeared: [Song Qiongyao's Favorability +10]

Su Yu was secretly delighted.

Sure enough, they agreed, and prices rose rapidly.

The favorability rating has increased from 25 to 35, only 5 points away from the minimum of 40!
Song Qiongyao took the initiative to step forward, took Su Yu's sleeve, and followed closely behind him.

The long queue calmed down again and moved forward.

Su Yu's heart was in turmoil.

"If it weren't for me, the one in first place right now... might be Qiaoqiao?"

"Perhaps her original plan was to make a promise with Qiaoqiao, but now it seems she has to switch places with me?"

"Why? I'm walking first, is there any special treatment for this order?"

(End of this chapter)